Riverwalk has our own series of events that celebrate the Riverwalk District as a treasured place to Live, Work & Play. Most of Riverwalk’s events are free and open to the public and held in Downtown Riverwalk District parks. The below list is not inclusive of all Riverwalk and/or partnered events.
*Date tentatively scheduled.
8th Annual Riverwalk Fall Festival
Saturday, October 12, 2024
12 pm – 4 pm
Esplanade Park
15th Annual Florida
Day of the Dead Celebration
Saturday, November 2, 2024
3 pm – 11 pm
Esplanade Park/Riverwalk/
SW 3rd Ave
Light Up Lauderdale
(Get Lit)
Thursday, November 7, 2024
6 pm – 8:30 pm
Esplanade Park
18th Annual Riverwalk Mutts & MartinisTM
Saturday, November 9, 2024
12 pm – 4 pm
Esplanade Park
15th Annual Riverwalk Stone Crab & Seafood Festival
Saturday, January 4, 2025
11 am – 4 pm
Esplanade Park
9th Annual Riverwalk Chili Cook-off
Saturday, February 8, 2025*
Time TBD
Esplanade Park
4th Annual Riverwalk International Food Festival (RIFF)
Saturday, March 22, 2025*
Time TBD
Esplanade Park
8th Annual Smoke on the Water BBQ Feast
Saturday, April 12, 2025*
Time TBD
Esplanade Park
3rd Annual Riverwalk Tacos & Tequila Feast
Saturday, May 18, 2025*
Time TBD
Esplanade Park
Riverwalk Tribute – 2025 Date TBD
Riverwalk’s premier annual event, Riverwalk Tribute, in its 25th year in 2025, honors community members that have made a significant contribution to Riverwalk and the City of Fort Lauderdale. In an evening reception, Riverwalk members, community leaders and guests celebrate these leaders in our community. Past honorees include:
- Jim Ellis – Ellis Diversified
- Kelley Shanley – Broward Center for the Performing Arts
- Mike Jackson – AutoNation
- Jorge Perez – The Related Group
- Beverly Raphael Altman – RCC Associates
- Crush Law – Courtney and Jason Crush
- Bob Swindell – Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance
Riverwalk Tribute is a ticketed event held at a local venue. Tickets are included for some Riverwalk membership levels, and with all sponsorships. Annual attendance of 300-500 Riverwalk members and philanthropists as well as business, civic and government leaders.
Riverwalk Burger BattleTM – Date TBD
Riverwalk Burger BattleTM is an opportunity for area restaurants to pull out all the stops and win bragging rights for the year! A panel of judges will judge the entrants on a series of criteria, while attendees sample the burgers and select the “Fan Favorite”!
Burger Battle is a ticketed event with annual attendance of 400-800 with a VIP experience available.
Additional events
Riverwalk Member Events – Get Downtown and Power Mixers
Riverwalk holds a number of events annually for members to connect and celebrate the Riverwalk. Get Downtown is held twice a year for the general membership in the spring and fall, while Power Mixers for Trustee members and above happen quarterly.
Riverwalk Rhythm & Brews – Quarterly
Held quarterly, Rhythm & Brews is a live music event, with cold brews from South Florida breweries, lawn games and amazing local food trucks! All proceeds from this series directly benefit Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale, including all alcohol sales.
Rhythm & Brews regularly attracts between 1,500 and 3,000 attendees for a relaxed evening or afternoon in the Park.
Other Events
Riverwalk holds additional events of our own, and partners with other organizations to build and support additional events. For more information on additional events please email events@goriverwalk.com.